§ 54. Mr. HOUSTONasked the Prime Minister whether it has been arranged that the ex-German steamship "Vaterland," of 54,282 gross tonnage, has passed, or is to pass, into the possession of the United States, and the ex-German steam ship "Imperator," of 51,969 gross tonnage, into the possession of Great Britain; and can he state into whose possession the new German steamship "Bismarck," of about 56,000 gross tonnage, has passed, or is to pass?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWAs the final allocation of these vessels under the Peace Treaty is not yet settled I am not in a position to make any statement.
§ Mr. HOUSTONSeeing the enormous losses of British ships during the War, and the very small losses of American, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that it would be equitable for this country to have these ex-German ships?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI think my hon. Friend may rest assured that the representatives of the British Government are not unmindful of British interests in shipping.